KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery is disappointed when Kimiko moves away, but at least she doesn't leave. He smiled from her question and gently shook his head.

”Unless you're afraid of watching you die,” he said softly. Avery couldn't stop himself anymore. He lifted his hand and gently brushed his fingers across her bruised cheek. His touch was featherlight, but he still worried he hurt her.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Because Kiki was more important. Because I don't want you to look at me like I'm fragile and I can't do my job,” Cassi said, refusing to look at Nic. ”And I heal faster than humans but not like a wolf. Something like this on Avery would heal in a couple hours. For me, it might take a day or two.”

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Caden

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden finished his sandwich and reached around Nero for another. ”Kiki is okay. The bruising is significant. I might take her in for x-rays tomorrow, but she and Avery are having a moment. How are you doing?” Caden asks and looks at Nero.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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When Kimiko rests her forehead on Avery's shoulder, everything that had been tensed in the werewolf relaxes. He sighs, itching to put an arm around her but he doesn't want to hurt her. He doesn't know where there isn't a bruise. From what Avery could tell, she was covered in them.

Despite everything, Avery starts to chuckle. ”Am I okay? Honestly Kiki, you're as bad as Cass. Physically, I'm okay. Mentally, I want to break something, emotionally… I don't know. I'm relieved but I'm also tired and worried and scared.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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As soon as Nic touched Cassi, she wanted to sag into his arms. She opened her eyes and looked into his, having a hard time focusing. Cassi sighed and turned around, so he could see the damage. Cassi was sure her hair was matted with blood. Her hair was still braided from last night. Maybe that's what prevented her from being knocked out.

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Caden

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden joined Nero and accepted the half eaten sandwich from the. He draped an arm over Nero's shoulders and bit into the sandwich. Caden swallowed his mouthful when Cassi turned around.

”A wolf launched himself at Cassi and Kiki, Cass threw her daggers but the wolf's momentum had them continuing forward. She cracked her head on the concrete before getting up. She's been dizzy but coherent and talking,” Caden supplied for Nic.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”If there was, it's healed now. The ribs are the only things that feel sore still, but even that is subsiding,” Avery informed Nic. While Avery answered Nic's questions, his eyes never left Kimiko's.

When Nic was done, Avery sank down on the couch next to Kimiko. He stared into her eyes for a long time before they flickered away and examined her face. He wanted to brush his fingers across her bruises and will them away. He wanted to kiss them and take them from her, and suffer with them so she didn't have to. He wanted to kill Terry all over again.

Nic asked how Kimiko had received them, and Avery's face hardened. ”No promises,” he said in response to Kimiko's inquiry.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia glared at Nero and weighed her options. In the end, Cassi's growing headache won out.

”Nic… Could you come in here, please.” He was going to think she was fragile and weak and couldn't do anything.

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Caden

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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A slow smile creeped across Caden's face while he watched Avery and Kimiko. He could see the tension between them but also the need. He understood that all too well.

When Caden heard Cass call for Nic, he turned his head to the kitchen before looking at Nic. ”You should go,” Caden said seriously. ”These two are fine for now.” Caden moved to follow Nic into the kitchen. He glanced back at Avery and Kiki before giving them some privacy.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery glared at Caden and the door behind him. ”Then I should have killed him more slowly,” Avery countered and held his arm out for Nic to examine his rib cage.

”Caden's already had to reveal my bones before. Ribs I find mend quickly for us,” he said but complied with Nic's examination all the same.

Avery looked down at Kimiko, his eyes softening. He still felt responsible. If he had just gone after her… or not kicked her out of his room. She would be healthy. She would be safe.

”Avery. Terry and Levi would have found another way to Kiki. It was only a matter of time.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia picked the sandwich Avery dropped off the floor and tossed it into the garbage. She stumbled forward though and grabbed the counter before she fell. Cassi took a deep breath in and turned around to lean against the counter. Maybe she did have a concussion. She glanced sideways at Nero.

”Don't say anything,” Cass said.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”You underestimate the appetite of a werewolf who shifted quickly and is healing,” Caden tells Nic.

Caden told Nic Nero also unharmed before his attention quickly shifted back to Kimiko and he frowned. ”They could have damaged your vocal chords, Kiki. Or snapped your neck judging by how bad those bruises are.” Nic’s words of alarm sell Caden's point, and he looks at her.

”You see? Too close for comfort,” he said, shaking his head. She could have fractured vertebrae for all Caden knew.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery chuckled and went to bite into his sixth sandwich when he heard Nic. Avery dropped the sandwich and raced into the next room.

He came up behind Nic and froze. Avery started to tremble, his eyes shifting to yellow again. The bruising on Kiki's neck was black. Avery wouldn't be surprised if the area was numb.

Avery looked up at Caden and then the door where the last four wolves of Levi's pack live. Caden stepped to the side, effectively blocking the door and filling Avery's vision again.

”Avery. It's over. There's nothing left you can do.”

”The hell there isn't,” he said, his own voice foreign in his ears.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Not a scratch on me,” Caden said and stood out of Nic's way while he examined Kimiko. ”Avery will eat, but he'll eat Cass out of house and home. Once we know Kimiko is stable, we'll head back to my place, so he can eat his fill there,” Caden explained to Nic.

”How is she?” Caden asked, taking on more of a tender tone.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia and Avery walked inside together. Cassi had a bit of blood on her vest from killing wolves, and she would have to clean her blades up as well.

Avery held himself tightly while his body worked on healing itself. He could smell egg salad and bacon though and his stomach won out over staying in the living room.

Cassiopeia slipped into the kitchen quickly with Avery, so she could take her vest off and Avery could eat.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery wolfed — no pun intended — down three sandwiches before eating at a normal pace. He leaned against the table next to Nero.

”You know, you're kinda scary when you want to be,” Avery informed them.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden glanced at Avery who shifted forward when Kiki visibly winced, but he stayed back until Cassiopeia was done. Caden chuckled and led Kimiko up the stairs.

”Define okay. He broke nearly every traffic law driving over to the warehouse. I don't think Costa is going to appreciate how much money the city is going to lose.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery wanted to run to Kimiko when she winced. He wanted to know where the pain was so he could take it away, but he was afraid of touching her and causing more damage.

He caught himself before he could run, pinning himself to the sidewalk and focused on Cassiopeia's presence behind him.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”You're bleeding,” Avery informed Cassi.

Cassiopeia looked at her front door but Nic had already disappeared. ”I know. Don't tell Nic. I want to make sure Kiki is okay first.”

”And then you'll tell him?”

Cassiopeia rolled her eyes. ”I have half a mind to stab you with a silver blade,” she said.

Avery grinned and wrapped Cassi's arm around his. ”Good, you're still fiery. That means no concussion,” Avery teased.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia's attention shifts to look at Caden and Nero. They trace Caden's tattoos in a rhythmic pattern that Cassi understands to be a soothing method. She focuses on that while Nero explains about Mundus’ involvement.

Cassiopeia frowns. She remembered seeing that name in books and hushed whispers around the fire, but what did he want with Cassi's people?

She looks back up at Caden's face and Nero when they continue to tell Cassi not to throw her friendship away with Caden. Cassi doesn't say anything and she just looks away. This is new information she has to process, and new questions she has to file away.

They pull onto Cassiopeia's street and a new string of anxieties take over her thoughts.

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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Caden squeezes Nero's hand when they tell Cassi about Mundus’ involvement. He really thought that information would help Cassiopeia see past her prejudice with Nero, and start to understand just what sort of life Nero had to endure.

He pulls up outside Cassiopeia's house and turns the car off. ”Cass, could you spell the other SUV so the wolves can't get out if they wake up?”

Cassiopeia looks at Caden and nods once. ”Yes,” she said eagerly before getting out of the vehicle.

”Hmm, do you think Nic is going to scold her for not telling him she's hurt? It's been awhile since I've seen Cassi scared of someone,” Caden said with a grin. He kissed Nero's hand before getting out, and opened the back door to help Kimiko out.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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They pull up outside Cassiopeia's house and Avery stays in the car for a minute longer. He gripped the steering wheel tight, and breathed deeply. So many thoughts were roaring through his brain. He hadn't felt this confused since before he met Caden and they formed a pack bond.

A car door opens up, and the sound of footsteps on pavement causes Avery to look up. He's hoping to see Kimiko, but it's Cassi. Avery gets out quickly, concern etched across his face.

”What's wrong?” he demanded.

Cassi stopped short and looked at Avery in confusion. ”What? Oh, Caden wants me to spell the vehicle so the wolves can't get out. She's fine.” Cass pats Avery's arm to reassure him, but her eyes are amused as she walks past Avery.

Oh. Right. Avery looked down, feeling embarrassed, but he looked up again when Caden got out to open the back door.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nic's next text comes through and Cassiopeia puts her phone away. Crap. She looks out the window, watching Chicago's skyline go by as Caden manoeuvres down streets. She may be hurt but at least she's alive.

”Nero. I'm grateful for your quick reaction earlier, but I'm nowhere near ready to forgive you. I don't think I will ever be able to forgive what you've done.” Her tone wasn't harsh or rude, it was a statement of fact.

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden looked from Cassi to Nero. He rested his hand on Nero's leg after Cassi spoke about being grateful for Nero saving her.

”Would you consider forgiving them because they were just following orders?”

Cassi turned her focus back to Caden and frowned. ”What do you mean?”

Instead of answering, Caden looked at Nero to answer.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia blushed when Kimiko referred to Nic as her nurse. She went to touch the back of her head but thought better of it and wrapped her hand around her seatbelt instead. She could feel three sets of eyes on her and she hated it.

”Don't tell him. He has to look at you first. I don't need him fussing over me,” Cassiopeia said firmly.

Perfect. See you soon.

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden frowned but didn't push Cassi on getting checked out. If she had cracked her head open, technically speaking she would move up in triage.

”Cassi has a thick skull from ignoring the advice of others for near 300 years. I'm surprised she didn't break the concrete instead of her head.” Caden glances in the rearview to see Cassi giving him the middle finger. Caden simply grinned. He'd take any conversation with Cassi at this point.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery didn't mind driving alone completely. It gave him time to calm down and repeatedly tell himself that Kimiko was safe. They got to her in time. Still, because she wasn't in his arms, it didn't feel real. He didn't feel settled, and he kept tapping his fingers on the steering wheel while he followed behind Caden.

Avery drove with the front windows down and the AC on to help with the stink of the passed out humans in the back, but to also cool down. He felt like he was on fire from the intense healing his body was doing.